Shiloh Walker's Blog, page 17

Merry Christmas

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Today and Always…

For those who celebrate, have a Happy Thanksgiving, and a safe one.

Those you going through the holidays and missing loved ones, I feel for you.

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Extended Excerpt For My Newsletter Readers…

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I was babbling.

I knew I was babbling. I could even hear the strident rising of my voice, but I couldn’t stop it.

“You told her we were engaged? Luke! What were you thinking—” Just as my voice reached the level where it might shatter glass, he reached up and pressed his finger to my lips.

My body, so long starved for his attention, responded according.

“Keep your voice down,” he begged, his ocean-blue eyes desperate.

“You want me to keep my voice down?” I yanked my head back, gaping at him in dismay. “You told your mother that we were engaged and you want me to keep my voice down?”

The door’s hinges, like most of the ones in the hospital, were squeakier than a mouse on a cheese spree, but I had no chance to see who was intruding because I found myself plastered against Luke, his hand in my hair. And his tongue was in my mouth.

I couldn’t help it.

I groaned.

As he kissed the living daylights out of me, I heard a high-pitched noise but my brain didn’t recognize it for what it was right away. My synapses were on overload. Could this much stimuli make my body shut down? I didn’t know. I didn’t care. Luke’s tongue traced my lower lip.

“Luke!”

He lifted up, only briefly, but the loss of his mouth was one I felt keenly. I gripped his shoulders. I didn’t even remember reaching for him, but I must have and I clung to him so tightly, my fingers ached. He spoke. I don’t know what he said, but I felt his chest rumbling against my chest.

Somebody else responded—a new voice. I was almost certain the last one I’d heard had been female. How many people were in here? I blinked, reality starting to settle in. I pushed at Luke’s shoulders, no longer clinging to him, but he didn’t seem to be in any hurry to let me go.

“Geez, Luke…”

“Chris, get out before I throw you out,” Luke said. “Hi, Ellie.”

Ellie. I groaned and once more tried to extricate myself from Luke’s arms. When he didn’t let go this time, I turned my head and sank my teeth into his biceps. Hard. Never let it be said that he wasn’t skilled at controlling his reactions. Although I felt him stiffen, he didn’t show any other sign that it affected him. I applied more pressure. He made a low noise but didn’t relent.

“Come on, baby,” Ellie said. “It’s pretty clear these two wanna be alone right now. Besides, don’t you want to see your mom?”

The sound of the door squeaking closed should have been the signal that we were alone and Luke could let me go. He didn’t. Feeling stupid standing there with my teeth digging into him like some stubborn bulldog, I let him go and swung my eyes up so I could glare at him. He looked down at me, a bemused smile on his face. “Were you hungry?”

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Cocksure…available today! Time to meet Luke & Sabrina!

Cocksure

The Cochrans of Cocker County

Sabrina

He’s the cockiest bastard I’ve ever met and I mean that with all the affection and adoration in the world. I’ve been in love with him for years, and not just because of those intense blue eyes or that slow smug smile that promises to make all your dreams come true. I’ve seen what lies under that smile and his cocksure attitude. It’s enough to make me melt.

Not that I’d ever let him know. Not only is Luke Cochran one of Hollywood’s up-and-coming movie stars…he’s also my boss. I’m his personal assistant and have seen all the women who come and go in his life.

I don’t even hold a candle. But a girl can dream…right?

Luke

Sabrina is one of the sharpest, funniest, kindest people I’ve ever met. Sometimes, I think I’m taking advantage of her, but I seriously cannot cope with my hectic lifestyle without her to keep me on track.

Of course, my life just got totally knocked off track. One of my sisters called. They need me back home. My mother is sick and the last thing I can think about is the promotional tour I’ve got coming up.

Sabrina’s coming with me. She’s the only person who can keep me focused and centered in a time like this. Besides, my family adores her. And it’s just a quick visit. My mother is tough. She’ll be alright.

But then something happens that knocks me for a loop and when my mother tells me that all she really wants in life is to see her kids happy and settled down, I do the stupidest damn thing ever and announce that Sabrina and I are in love. Now I’ve just got to convince my best friend to play along with me and act like she’s my fiancée and we’re stupid in love.

No big deal…right?

WRONG.

warning: contains sensitive subject material.

 

Universal Book Link @ Books2Read

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Excerpt

I was babbling.

I knew I was babbling. I could even hear the strident rising of my voice, but I couldn’t stop it.

“You told her we were engaged? Luke! What were you thinking—” Just as my voice reached the level where it might shatter glass, he reached up and pressed his finger to my lips.

My body, so long starved for his attention, responded according.

“Keep your voice down,” he begged, his ocean-blue eyes desperate.

“You want me to keep my voice down?” I yanked my head back, gaping at him in dismay. “You told your mother that we were engaged and you want me to keep my voice down?”

The door’s hinges, like most of the ones in the hospital, were squeakier than a mouse on a cheese spree, but I had no chance to see who was intruding because I found myself plastered against Luke, his hand in my hair. And his tongue was in my mouth.

I couldn’t help it.

I groaned.

As he kissed the living daylights out of me, I heard a high-pitched noise but my brain didn’t recognize it for what it was right away. My synapses were on overload. Could this much stimuli make my body shut down? I didn’t know. I didn’t care. Luke’s tongue traced my lower lip.

“Luke!”

He lifted up, only briefly, but the loss of his mouth was one I felt keenly. I gripped his shoulders. I didn’t even remember reaching for him, but I must have and I clung to him so tightly, my fingers ached. He spoke. I don’t know what he said, but I felt his chest rumbling against my chest.

Somebody else responded—a new voice. I was almost certain the last one I’d heard had been female. How many people were in here? I blinked, reality starting to settle in. I pushed at Luke’s shoulders, no longer clinging to him, but he didn’t seem to be in any hurry to let me go.

“Geez, Luke…”

“Chris, get out before I throw you out,” Luke said. “Hi, Ellie.”

Ellie. I groaned and once more tried to extricate myself from Luke’s arms. When he didn’t let go this time, I turned my head and sank my teeth into his biceps. Hard. Never let it be said that he wasn’t skilled at controlling his reactions. Although I felt him stiffen, he didn’t show any other sign that it affected him. I applied more pressure. He made a low noise but didn’t relent.

“Come on, baby,” Ellie said. “It’s pretty clear these two wanna be alone right now. Besides, don’t you want to see your mom?”

The sound of the door squeaking closed should have been the signal that we were alone and Luke could let me go. He didn’t. Feeling stupid standing there with my teeth digging into him like some stubborn bulldog, I let him go and swung my eyes up so I could glare at him. He looked down at me, a bemused smile on his face. “Were you hungry?”

 

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Writer’s Block

Some of you have probably noticed this is the first new book I’ve put out in a while. I’ve had my first ever real case of writer’s case, Since my brother died, I’ve been dealing with grief, depression and that writer’s block. I talk about it more over at the HEA Blog on USA Today.

If you pick up Cocksure, I hope you love it… Psst, it’s on KU!

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Two important things for Tuesday

 

Your vote is your voice.

Use it, not just for yourself, but to honor those who fought to protect your right to vote, who marched for it, who protested for it.

Use it to protect the rights of those who will come after us.

Anybody interested in reviewing or featuring COCKSURE on your book-related FB page or blog? Give Me  Books is hosting a Teaser Reveal and a Release Blitz with review option available…if you like fake-engagement friends-to-lovers stories, this could be right up your alley.

Sign up at http://bit.ly/GMB-signup-sw

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Cards & Care packages for soldiers list

My friend Kelley sent a list for troops stationed overseas who could use cards.

If you’re able to, care packages are also welcome. Care packages are just what they sound like…goodies, books, magazines ~nothing erotic…no playboys, penthouse, etc~ snacks that don’t melt and stand up well in the heat. Not sure what to put in the care packages?  Go here. There are some items that can’t be sent so if you’ve never sent care packages, make sure you check.

Andres Rodriguez (contact) cutoff Aug 2019
Tetivi Torsoo
Staff Sgt Morgan
Nicholas Bushman
Ethan Bunting
Tucker Renegar
Antonio Leija
Jorge Batiz
Chris Lawson
Mark Becker
Lawrence Crawford
Connor Ardo
Darwing Delva
Steven Renfro
Bobby Guard
Brennan James
Chris Cory
(females)
Sidney Ramos
Crystal Vela
Vrianna Cantu

HHC 2-87 IN
TF Catamount CL Dwyer
APO,AE 09354

Brian Gross
Christy Andersson
PSC 3 Box 4208
APO,AP 96266 (a family in Korea husband and wife and 5 boys there till 2020)

Mack Milatovich
PSC 477 Box 23
HSC 12
FPO, AP 96306 cutoff Jan 2020

Jason Meier (10 in unit) cutoff July 2019
PSC 333 Box 8414
APO AP 96251-0085

CH Jon Pirtle – for mail to pass out just address to Chaplain/male or female
Travis Kimmel – (40 in his group) you can divide out mail between the two 29 male 11 female
201st RSG BOS -I
AL ASAD Air Base
APO, AE 09333

Chris Gatny (21 in this group 18 male 3 female)
201st RSG BOS-I
Erbil, Iraq
APO,AE 09316

Bianca Ross (24 in this group 18 male 6 female)
201 RSG BOS-I
Camp Taji Iraq
APO,AE 09378

Names posted/shared with permission.  Please don’t post to facebook pages.

image from DvidsHub | Flickr under CC license.

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I want you naked… Cocksure

The poppy-red dress she wore framed her upper body like a dream, cupping her breasts and offering them up in a fashion I couldn’t help but appreciate. The bodice ran close along her torso before flaring out at her hips. I wanted to ease her onto the bed and push that skirt up, up, up, baring her so I could see the flesh I’d only felt, so I could taste her, then watch as I filled her.

Her cheeks were flushed.

She fumbled with her business bag.

She knew I was watching her.

I waited to see what she’d do.

Finally, she stopped pretending she didn’t know I was there and turned to face me, hands clenched into fists at her sides.

“Do you need something, Luke?” she asked, her voice businesslike and brisk.

“That’s a loaded question, Ina,” I said, taking a step into her room. “You sure you want me to answer it?”

Her mouth parted and she licked her lips. I don’t think she even realized she’d done it.

I decided I was right a split second later when she clenched her jaw and fixed her mouth back in that polite, businesslike smile. “I’ve already got quite a bit to get done tonight, so unless this is important…”

I closed the distance between us, sliding an arm around her waist.

She sucked in her breath, going silent.

“I do want something,” I said, pressing my mouth to her ear. “I want you naked. I want you under me. Over me. In front of me. On top of me. I want you kneeling on my face so I can eat your pussy or bending over in front of me so I can fuck you. Any way you want to give yourself to me, that’s what I want.”

She was shaking now.

I caught the lobe of her ear between my teeth and bit down gently.

“But the final decision is up to you. I’m going to my room. You come find me if you want me.”

Walking out of that room was the hardest damn thing I’d ever done.

More

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Blog Tour/Release Blitz

I’m hooking up with Give Me Books to help spread the word about Cocksure.  Want to get in on it? Maybe review the book? If you’ve got a book blog or facebook page, you can sign up here.

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A benefit of #Cockygate

So if you’re on Twitter or Facebook and interact with authors or readers, in or out of the romance community, you probably heard about the Cockygate  debacle that happened over the summer. And debacle is really the only word to describe that hot mess.

Long story short, a relatively new author came onto the romance scene a couple of years ago, was doing okay with some of her books, then managed to figure out how to do really well with Kindle Unlimited, writing a series about the COCKER Brothers of Atlanta.  That was the original series name, even shows that way on Goodreads to this day. Titles all have Cocky in it.

Note…Cocky isn’t new to the romance industry.  We write about confident guys.  Cocky  goes with the territory.  Books with Cocky in the title predated this author’s series… she started in 2016. See Penelope Ward’s Cocky Bastard, released in 2015.

Cocky author, though, decides other people are copying her and trying to cash in, so she trademarks the word, then specifically targets lesser known, less successful authors, telling them they have to change their titles and covers–Amazon removed a number of titles. RWA and Writer’s Guild got involved, a SF writer who happened to be a retired IP attorney got involved… almost the entire book community, and a lot of creatives outside the book community spoke up because the whole thing was bullshit. Trying to claim ownership over one single, commonly used word is a bad precedent.  The court seemed to agree. Dunno how things progressed behind closed legal doors, but Cocky author stepped down and let the trademark go.

Still, it cost people time and money and it caused a lot of heartache for the lesser known authors who didn’t have the name recognition or the financial backing to withstand a legal battle–thankfully the industry powerhouses, RWA and the Writer’s Guild stepped in, and various authors did anthologies, donated and otherwise tried to help.

It was an ugly, useless pointless mess that didn’t have to happen.

Yet it did.

Sometimes when ugly things happen, it’s possible to have things happen in the aftermath that are possible.  A lot of readers and authors looked to those authors who’d been affected in the Cockygate takedown mess, so maybe they got some PR through Cocky author’s crappy actions. A lot of people in the community realized the benefits of belonging to an industry group like RWA or the Writer’s Guild, how having a knowledgeable group can be of benefit if you ever find yourself  in a spot like this.

And while I can’t speak for anybody else, I had a direct, personal benefit that was definitely  positive.

How?

Are you wondering how…?

Well…stay with me.

I’ve written off and on since 3rd grade. Whenever I wanted to write, there was a story. Up until the past year. After my brother’s suicide in May 2017, suddenly that well was dry.  I had a story that was halfway done, The Doubted, and I was able to finish it, but beyond that? The only writing I’d done from roughly November 2017 to May 2018 were freelance projects provided by my clients. While my ghostwriting projects definitely provide a creative outlet, they aren’t mine.

Having that creative spark in me suddenly got dim was painful. Writing isn’t a hobby and it’s far more than just my job.  It’s my outlet, too. It’s where I go to make things make sense in a world that rarely does make sense.  And when I needed it most? That outlet was just gone.

Up until May 2018, almost a year exactly to the time I’d lost my brother.

I’m a contrary person. It’s just my nature.

Somebody gives the implication that I’m not supposed to do something?

Well, you can bet your butt I’m going to want to do it.

Give me the implication that I’m not allowed?

That makes me want to do it even more.

And bullies piss me off.

So having a cocky author go after people, claiming some kind of bullshit ownership over a word that the romance community has been using for as long as I’ve been involved in it…and longer…well, it’s safe to say it got under my skin.

And it wasn’t long after that this guy appeared…

For those who paid attention to #cockygate… yes, he probably does look familiar.  But you can’t go after cover models when they were found on photo stock sites.

While I’m playing with the idea of Luke’s story, I realize he’s got brothers and sisters.  And since small towns are kind of a thing I play with, the name of the series came almost as easily as Luke’s story did.

And…yeah, maybe the font’s familiar.  The guy who designed it is a genius and he’s cool enough to allow those wanting to use it to buy a license.  It’s called Northwell. That font, BTW, can’t be used in anything a creator wants to trademark… like a word.  He points that out in his TOS.

So, basically, my months-long dry spell was broken when somebody tried to ruin things for others in the industry and set a bad precedent that could have wrecked things for years to come, all for her own benefit.

Anger has always been a good motivator for me. I guess I just needed to break through the wall and…well, for this book, at least, it was enough.

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Shameless Conventions, Shameless Books & Shameless Promos

Howdy folks…a long overdue update on COCKSURE…it is finished.

Thank goodness. This is the first non-freelance book… meaning it’s mine, mine, mine, mine, mine that I’ve been able to start and finish since my brother passed, and the dry spell was starting to get to me.

And if you’re a trope lover, this one is trope-tastic.

fake fiancee

friends to lovers

secret crush

movie star

small town

plus sized heroine… she jumps between 14 – 16 and the heroine thinks she’s the hottest damn thing ever.

Have you pre-ordered COCKSURE?

Sabrina

He’s the cockiest bastard I’ve ever met and I mean that with all the affection and adoration in the world.  I’ve been in love with him for years, and not just because of those intense blue eyes or that slow smug smile that promises to make all your dreams come true. I’ve seen what lies under that smile and his cocksure attitude. It’s enough to make me melt.

Not that I’d ever let him know.  Not only is Luke Cochran one of Hollywood’s up-and-coming movie stars…he’s also my boss.  I’m his personal assistant and have seen all the women who come and go in his life.

I don’t even hold a candle.  But a girl can dream…right?

Luke

Sabrina is one of the sharpest, funniest, kindest people I’ve ever met. Sometimes, I think I’m taking advantage of her, but I seriously cannot cope with my hectic lifestyle without her to keep me on track.

Of course, my life just got totally knocked off track.  One of my sisters called.

They need me back home. My mother is sick and the last thing I can think about is the promotional tour I’ve got coming up.

Sabrina’s coming with me.  She’s the only person who can keep me focused and centered in a time like this. Besides, my family adores her. And it’s just a quick visit. My mother is tough.  She’ll be alright.

But then something happens that knocks me for a loop and when my mother tells me that all she really wants in life is to see her kids happy and settled down, I do the stupidest damn thing ever and announce that Sabrina and I are in love.

Now I’ve just got to convince my best friend to play along with me and act like she’s my fiancée and we’re stupid in love.

No big deal…right?

WRONG.

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Shameless Book Con

 

Spent half of last week in Florida. This time, Bratlet went with me as my official assistant. It was her first time doing so and she had a ball.  As her payment, we went to Universal, bought wands and cast spells, as one does.

On Thursday night, we walked for hours at the Halloween event they have at night with a reader friend, MK, who was amused by bratlet, and amazed me with her patience. This is the second year in a row for MK and me to hit the haunted houses at Universal, and…oi. I’m not getting any younger.

Friday, a writer/blogger friend of mine, Natasha, showed up.  She was rooming with me for the event and delighted bratlet with a pair of cat ears decorated with roses. Bratlet loves cat ears… the kind you wear on a headband? LOVES them, and Natasha had an extra pair, which she gave to bratlet. Kid was over the moon.

Then starting Friday night, I hit the ground running for Shameless Book Con. After the cocktail party, I had to get some freelance work done and ended up talking with fellow author, Seleste Delaney for hours. First outside, then at the bar and we chatted with readers who came and went, too.

Shameless is a wonderful, open environment and Angie and her smuffins (smut-muffins) outdo themselves every time. One of the best things about an event like this is how laid back it is.

There’s plenty of time to sit and talk with fellow authors, to catch up with readers you’ve met at previous years, or meet new ones. There are always groups of both authors and readers hanging out in the bar or on the patio, just chatting and talking…sometimes about books, sometimes not.

There are meet-ups for newbies and those coming alone so nobody needs to feel out of place or anything and the whole vibe is casual and welcoming. Well, casual up until the madness starts.

And that madness…Saturday, hundreds of authors and readers overwhelmed the Doubletree Hilton at The Entrance to Universal. The signing started at 11, lasted until 5 and was packed almost the entire time.

And if all of this was at Universal, why are there Disney princesses? Because next year, we are going to DISNEY! Hot damn.  I love it when I get to say I’m going to Disney…for work purposes.

You should join us. Shameless Book Con is epic, easily one of the best book conventions I’ve ever been to, even if I do end up cramming my office full for weeks on end with pre-orders, swag and other assorted sundry goods needed for such an epic event.

I had dinner with another reader friend SH after the signing, somehow managing not to fall asleep in my food. After that, Bratlet and I trudged back to the hotel room. She told me she’d drag me if she could but I was just too heavy.  I was worn out at this point and had to skip the big gala at the end.

Now I only need about a month to recover…maybe. If I’m lucky.

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Final day… The FBI Psychics…

The FBI Psychics are on sale. At least a couple of them…

Amazon selected The Unwanted & The Innocent to be Kindle Monthly Deals… you can get them for 0.99!!

Check it out but do it fast.  The sale ends at midnight, 9/30!

The Innocent • Amazon | Kobo |iBooks

The Unwanted • Amazon | Kobo |iBooks

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